‘I see. Fox, one of our men is out there. Ask him to go to one hundred and ten Grandison Mansions, Sling Street, and tell Captain Withers I shall call on him in a few minutes and will be obliged if he remains indoors.’

‘Very good, Mr Alleyn,’ said Fox, and went out.

‘Now then,’ Alleyn continued. ‘I understand you were among the last to leave Marsdon House this morning. Correct?’

‘Yes.’

‘I want you to tell me exactly what happened just before you left. Come now, will you try to give me a clear account?’

Donald looked slightly more at his ease. Fox came back and resumed his seat.

‘I’ll try, certainly,’ said Donald. ‘Where do you want me to begin?’

‘From the moment when you came into the hall to go out.’

‘I was with Bridget O’Brien. I had the last dance with her and then we went into the buffet downstairs for soup.’

‘Anybody else there?’

‘Her stepfather. I said good night to him and then Bridgie and I went into the hall.’

‘Who was in the hall?’

‘I don’t remember except—’

‘Yes?’

‘Uncle Bunch was there.’

‘Did you speak to him?’

‘No, I wish to God I had.’

‘What was he doing?’

‘He had his cloak on. You know that extraordinary garment he wears? I think I heard him asking people if they’d seen Mrs Halcut-Hackett.’

‘Had you seen her?’

‘Not for some time, I think.’

‘So you remember nobody in the hall except your uncle and Miss O’Brien?’

‘That’s right. I said good night to Bridgie and went away.’

‘Alone?’

‘Yes.’

‘Captain Withers was not at the ball?’

‘Yes, but he’d gone.’

‘Why did you not go away together?’

‘Wits was going on somewhere. He had a date.’

‘Do you know where he went and with whom?’

‘No.’

‘When you left Marsdon House what did you do?’

‘Some people waiting outside for a taxi asked me to go on with them to the Sauce Boat, but I didn’t want to. To get rid of them I walked to the corner to look for a taxi.’

‘Which corner?’

‘First on the left as you come out of Marsdon House. Belgrave Road, I think it is.’

‘Anyone see you?’

‘I don’t know. Shouldn’t think so. There was a damned heavy mist lying like a blanket over everything?’

‘We’ll have to find your taxi.’

‘But I didn’t get a taxi.’

‘What!’

Donald began to speak rapidly, his words tumbling over each other, as though he had suddenly opened all the doors of his thoughts.

‘There wasn’t a taxi at the corner, so I walked. I walked on and on through Eaton Square. It was late—after three o’clock. Lots of taxis passed me, of course, but they were all engaged. I was thinking about things. About Bridget. I meant to keep her out of this but I suppose you’ll hear everything now. Everything will be dragged out and—and made to look awful. Bridgie, and—and Uncle Bunch—and taking my medical—and everything. I hardly noticed where I was going. It’s queer walking through mist. Your footsteps sound odd. Everything seemed thin and simple. I can’t describe it. I went on and on and presently there weren’t any more taxis and I was in the Kings Road so I just walked home. Past the Chelsea Palace and then off to the right into Sling Street. That’s all.’